Trigger operated control mechanism



Oct. 13, 1970 H. E. SHONTZ 3,533,304

TRIGGER OPERATED CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 2'7, 1969 INVENTOR. MFR) 17 saw/77 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oifice 3,533,304 Patented Oct. 13, 1970 3,533,304 TRIGGER OPERATED CONTROL MECHANISM Harry E. Shontz, Zieglerville, Pa., assignor to N. W.

Controls, Inc., Vernfield, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 27, 1969, Ser. No. 803,007 Int. Cl. GOSg 7/00 US. Cl. 74-503 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A control mechanism adapted for use with a reciprocable control element for an engine throttle or similar control system. The mechanism includes a reciprocable rod connected with the control element and a hollow support and guide for the rod, the rod having a series of teeth adapted to be engaged by a detent formed as a part of a pivotally mounted shaft to which a finger trigger element is fastened.

This invention relates to a control mechanism adapted for use in a control system having a manually adjustable control element and in which system it is desired to provide for retaining the adjustable element in any of a plurality of adjusted positions. Although the device of the invention is applicable to control systems for a wide variety of control functions, a typical use for the device of the invention is in association with an engine throttle control and the device is therefore hereinafter described in that association.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a detent or latching devcie for retaining the control in any desired adjusted position, the latching mechanism being provided with a trigger release conveniently accessible to a finger of the hand normally used to adjust the control.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a reliable adjustment retaining mechanism, preferably operative to prevent change in adjustment in either sense, until and unless the trigger is released.

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained will appear more fully from the following description referring to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the device of the invention shown as mounted upon a panel or dashboard, the panel being shown in fragmentary section;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1, taken on the section line 22 on FIG. 4, this view being on an enlarged scale as compared with FIG. 1 and illustrating the trigger mechanism and detent in release position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of certain parts as shown in FIG. 2 but with the trigger positioned to engage the detent;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken as indicated by the line 44 on FIG. 1, this view particularly illustrating the trigger release for the detent; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view on a further enlarged scale of the detent shaft.

As is customary for many control mechanisms where the manually operable control element is located in a position more or less remote from the device being regulated, a flexible Bowden type control is employed, and a device of this general type is indicated in FIG. 1 by the numeral 6. The inside element or wire 7 of this control is adapted tobe connected with the device, for instance a throttle to be controlled, and in accordance with the present invention such a wire is fastened to a reciprocable control rod 8 having a knob 9 by which the rod and thus the wire 7 may be reciprocated to effect adjustment of the throttle or other device being regulated.

The rod 8 is desirably of angular cross section and is guided in a hollow support element 10 having a head or enlargement 11 and a threaded shank 12, the latter of which is adapted to be inserted in a suitable aperture in a mounting panel or the like such as indicated at 13, the device being fastenedin position by means of the nut 14 threaded onto the part 12. One side of the threaded part 12 may be cut off to provide a flat surface fitting a similar flat edge of the aperture in the panel plate 13 so as to prevent rotation of the device in the opening in the mounting panel.

The rod 8 is provided with a series of teeth or serrations 15 between which a detent 16 may be engaged, this detent comprising a narrowed edge portion formed on the pivot or shaft 17 which is rotatively mounted in an aperture or bore provided in the enlargement or head 11 of the support for the device. As will be seen from comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3, oscillation of the shaft 17 will cause the detent 16 to engage between teeth 15 or to disengage those teeth and thus permit reciprocation of the rod 8 and thus of the control wire 7.

For the purpose of operating, i.e., turning the detent shaft 17, a trigger element generally indicated at 18 is mounted upon and connected with the detent shaft. The trigger element 18 comprises a yoke part 19 in which suitable apertures are provided to receive the end portions of the detent shaft 17. As will be understood from FIG. 5, one end of the detent shaft is fiatted as indicated at 20' and the corresponding aperture or bore in the trigger yoke is similarly flatted, so that the shaft will turn with the trigger. The trigger also includes a finger trigger element 21 by means of which the trigger may be mamipulated.

A compression spring 22 mounted in a recess in the enlargement 11 of the supporting structure and bearing against an upper portion of the trigger normally urges the trigger to the position indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, while yet permitting the trigger to be angularly moved to the position indicated in FIG. 2.

The shape of the teeth 15 on the reciprocable rod 8, the shape of the detent 16, and the mounting arrangement of the detent shaft 17 preferably provide against reciprocation of the shaft 8 in either direction, whenever the detent is engaged. The shape and arrangement of these parts is also such that a force originating in the control wire 7 will not release the detent.

Release of the detent, however, may readily be accomplished by a finger of the hand used to operate the control and it will be noted that the trigger is so positioned in relation to the control knob 9 that when the palm of the hand is placed upon the control knob a finger of the hand is appropriately positioned for convenient access to and operation of the trigger release.

The device of the invention is usable where the control wire 7 is unbiased and therefore will normally remain in any adjusted position, and is also usable where the control wire 7 is biased in one direction or the other. For example in the case of an engine throttle the throttle itself and thus the control wire of the Bowden control cable is frequently biased to the position corresponding to closure of the throttle, and when the device of the invention is used in that association, release of the trigger will ordinarily result in closure of the throttle.

According to the foregoing the invention provides a highly reliable and yet exceedingly simple mechanism for retaining a control element in any adjusted position. At the same time maximum convenience is afforded for quick action to make an adjustment when that is desired.

I claim:

1. A control mechanism for use with a reciprocable control element, comprising a manually reciprocable rod connected with the control element, a hollow support for guiding said rod, the rod having a series of longitudinally spaced teeth, a detent for alternatively engaging different teeth in said series, said detent being carried by a shaft mounted for angular oscillation on said support to provide for movement between positions to engage or release the detent with respect to the teeth, and a manual trigger mounted by and angularly movable with the detent shaft.

2. A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 and further including an operating knob at the end of said rod, the trigger comprising a finger trigger element positioned for convenient access by one of the fingers when the mechanism is engaged by a hand with the operating knob placed in the palm of the hand.

3. A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which the trigger comprises a finger trigger element positioned for convenient access by one of the fingers when the mechanism is engaged by a hand of the operator.

4. A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 and further including spring means normally retaining the detent in position to engage the teeth.

5. A control mechanism for use with a reciprocable control element, comprising a manually reciprocable rod connected with the control element, a hollow support for guiding said rod, the rod having a series of longitudinally spaced teeth, a detent for alternatively engaging different teeth in said series, said detent being carried by a shaft mounted for angular oscillation on said support to provide for movement between positions to engage or release the detent with respect to the teeth, the detent and said teeth being shaped to prevent reciprocation of the rod in either direction when the detent is engaged, and a manual trigger mounted by and angularly movable with the detent shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,683,433 9/1928 Allen 74--502 1,824,515 9/1931 Traphagen 74538 2,532,975 12/1950 Weber 74503 2,643,019 6/1953 Wilt 74-503 3,000,231 9/1961 Cochran 74503 WESLEY S. RATLIFF, 111., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 74538 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 3,533,304 Patented October 13, 1970 Harry E. Shontz Application having been made by Harry E. Shontz, the inventor named in the entified, and NNV. Controls, Inc., Vernfield, Pennsylvania, a corporapatent above id tion of Pennsylvania, the assignee, for the issuance of a certificate under the provisions of Title 35, Section 256., of the United States Code, adding the name of Karl H. Schomaker as a joint inventor, and a showing and proof of facts satisfying the requirements of the said section having been submitted, it is this 30th day of March 1971, certified that the name of the said Karl H. Schomaker is hereby added to the said patent as a joint inventor with the said Harry E. Shontz.

FRED V. SHERLING Associate Solicitor. 

